Baklava Black Tea

I wish I’d read the Steepster reviews on this one before adding it to my cart! It’s such a promising concept, but all I get is clove, clove, and more clove, all on a very weak base. Disappointing. :(

Hmm… I don’t really know how much I really like this one considering I am a bit congested. However, I agree… the only note I am getting is clove. I don’t hate it but it was a little disappointing as I love baklava.

A very strange tea. I’m definitely not getting baklava, I’m actually not getting any distinct flavors. Definitely doesn’t taste bad, more just blah. Glad I got to try it thanks to AJRimmer!

Thanks to tea-sipper for this one! Despite ambivalent reviews, I was still curious to finally try it. I wasn’t a big fan at first. It’s rather astringent and plain. It has kind of a strange flavor seeping through that I can’t identify. The spices are mild. Maybe a bit of clove. Certainly nothing I would identify as baklava. With milk and sugar, it tastes decent. Like many other lightly flavored black teas. The more I drink of it, the more it’s growing on me. The spices somehow seem to show up more now. It’s not a great tea, but it’s enjoyable enough to finish the quantity I have. I really wish it tasted more like its name – that would be unique and tasty.

I had to try this one, as I adore most of the S&V blends I’ve tried. But I just can’t seem to find anything special with this one. The black tea base results in the lightest of brews – it’s the lightest of honey colors and has barely any flavor itself. I definitely need more from a black tea than this. The blackberry leaves don’t ruin the flavor but they really shouldn’t be here either. Otherwise, I’m only tasting a hint of spices. The roses are a nice touch but I don’t think they add much to the taste. I’ve only had actual baklava once in my life (and it probably wasn’t an accurate TRUE baklava) but if baklava is supposed to be dough and honey and nuts, this tea is definitely not that. This blend just doesn’t work for what it’s supposed to represent, and I would just find this blend boring no matter what the name was. Sorry, S&V!
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug// 16 minutes after boiling // 2 1/2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep

edited to add: 7/27/19 — I tried this with 2 1/2 teaspoons and I like the flavor better this way… it’s more baklava but the black tea isn’t overwhelming or bitter at all, even when the second steep was using boiling water. So it’s probably not too much caffeine? I’m raising the rating from 68.

Simpson & Vail Advent Calendar – Day 2

(originally written November 2nd)

The way they put together the Simpson & Vail advent box is really interesting. The tea pouches are just layered in the box with some craft paper crimped filling stuff. But the way they’ve layered them makes it so that you can only see the topmost pouch well enough to read it, so you don’t spoil the surprise for future days when you open the box. I do make sure not to look as I pull the sample out, otherwise I would know what tomorrow’s blend is. It’s quite a nice idea and I really like their cute little pouches with bows printed on them. Plus they are conveniently the perfect size for my 16-ounce teapot.

Hmm… I was hoping for more from this tea. Baklava is generally very honey and nut-heavy, with some spices as well. This… I’m not even sure how to describe what it tastes like. I guess there is some light spicing, mostly clove. But otherwise it just tastes “flavored”. No like any specific flavor, but like there has been flavoring added… I don’t know how else to describe it. Artificial?

Definitely doesn’t taste at all like baklava to me. Just a mildly clove-y tea with a weak and slightly musty base and some form of flavoring added. Ah, well, you can’t win them all…